How I got here, anyway.

So, you may ask, how did a pastor's wife, thirty-something, mom-of-4, former teacher end up in naturopathic medical school?

Good question!
The short answer -- God just keeps leading me to amazing places!

The LONG answer...
I spent 6 lovely years at a fulfilling job that allowed me to work from home while my babies were little.  Then this business closed in 2008 and I was laid off.  I thought I would go back to teaching (middle or high school science) but lo and behold, that was the year of industry-wide pink slips!  All first year teachers were being laid off, with the vague hope of being rehired the following year.  Since Emily was 4 and Makayla was 1, we decided I would instead stay home with them and run a daycare out of our house to help make ends meet.

I had never before been a stay-at-home mom, and while hugely challenging, it was a lot of fun too.  I started subbing when Emily was in Kindergarten.  I did 2 long-term positions (3 months each) while teachers were on maternity leave -- one at Valley Vista High School and one at Imagine Prep (middle school).   While I still love kids, I realized rather unexpectedly that the prospect of being a classroom teacher for many more years made me hyperventilate and my eyelid twitch.  It seemed my heart was telling me that it was time for a new season in my life.  I looked into many career fields and none resonated with me.  A wee bit exasperated at my indecision as I whined about wanting to do something in science that was challenging and useful and fun and actually get PAID for it, Brian asked me, -- Well, why don't you just learn to do what Hatch does?

Dr. Hatch is a doctor in Surprise who revolutionized the way I think about health.  He's a chiropractor who also does Applied Kinesiology, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and tons of other things.  I rave about all the things I learn every time I go for a visit, and research stuff at night.  (For nearly 5 years now, since he helped Emily and Isaac, I've been a little obsessed learning about "alternative" medicine.  I'll write about Emily and Isaac's stories in another post.)  I paused a moment when Brian asked me that question, until the resounding YES echoing through my head faded.  Well, there's not a chiro school in town, but there is this naturopathic school in Tempe......

Then the logic part of my brain kicked in.  It's a 4 year graduate program, Brian!  What am I, going to DRIVE TO TEMPE every single day?  What about the kids, and you already work full-time, and how could we pay for it?  Medical school?  I'd be 40 by the time I graduate, for goodness sake!

Hallelujah, God has a sense of humor, doesn't He?!

Brian just promised all the support and help necessary to help me succeed.  I was accepted to SCNM with no deficiencies.  Financial aid came through.  Family & friends offer to help with babysitting, cooking, and shopping.  One dear friend brought my family dinner nearly every Monday for 3 entire months.  My parents babysit and make dinner once every week.  Brian adjusted his schedule to do "kid drop-off, pick-up, homework, housework, & dinner" duty.  And yes, I drive every day to Tempe.  It's a crazy life, but it's working!

Philippines Trip 2012

I have started this blog (yes, my first one ever!) to keep in touch with those of you interested and supporting my trip to the Philippines this summer!
The trip is a group of my classmates through SCNM working with Mercy in Action.  They operate a free birthing center and education classes and our group is going to help and learn as much as we can!

The costs of the trip are about $3400.  My sister Jayna helped me do a Gold Canyon Candle Fundraiser (THANK YOU to all who bought candles!), and a few people have donated extra money.  I will post a total amount raised soon.